If you are active on Salvation Army social media platforms, chances are you have come across the name “Huncho.” Behind the name is Tafara Mahuni, a student at Chinhoyi University of Technology and a dedicated soldier at The Salvation Army’s Mbizo Citadel.

Through his creative and inspiring Christian content, Huncho has built a strong following, earning recognition for his talent, originality, and consistency. My Afrika Magazine reporter, Ronald Gwatidzo (RG), sat down with Tafara “Huncho” Mahuni (TM) to learn more about the man behind the content.

RG: Let’s start with a brief background, tell us about who is Huncho and how was he raised?

TM: My name is Tafara Mahuni, though most people know me as Huncho. I was born and bred in Mbizo, Kwekwe- the ghetto that raised me into the person I am today. My mom is a Salvationist, so yeah, I was born and raised in The Salvation Army, where I learned the values of faith and discipline. I’m currently a Mechatronics Engineering student at Chinhoyi University of Technology and a soldier at The Salvation Army Mbizo Citadel. My upbringing in both Mbizo and The Salvation Army has shaped my character and continues to inspire me to use my talent to impact others through content creation positively.

RG: How did start doing content creation and why did you choose to keep it associated with your church?
with your church?

TM: Most of my social life has always revolved around church. That’s where my friends are, that’s where I spend most of my time, and naturally that’s where my content journey began. It all started when one of my friends would record videos of me dancing at church and post them on our church TikTok page. Those videos received a lot of positive feedback, and I realized that people genuinely enjoyed content that reflected church life.

When I left for university, I could no longer be at church as frequently as before so yea there was no one to create content featuring me. That’s when I decided to create my own platform so I could continue sharing church related content from wherever I was. I had already seen the impact it was making..people appreciated it, it encouraged fellow Salvationists and it even reached those who weren’t able to attend church.That inspired me to keep creating content that represents my faith and The Salvation Army.

RG: The name Huncho – where did it come from and what does it mean?

TM: The name Huncho came from my high school days when I was a big fan of the Migos, particularly Quavo, one of the members of the group. Quavo used the name “Huncho,” and because I was a big fan of him, I used to write the name around school.

With time, my friends started calling me Huncho and the name eventually stuck. Today, Huncho has become the identity and brand people know me by. The name is commonly associated with someone who leads or takes charge.

RG: How supportive has your own church and corps been about your content?

TM: My church and corps have been very supportive. They appreciate how I’m pushing the name and branding of The Salvation Army through my content.

A funny thing is, whenever I attend conferences, some cooks already know me from TikTok. They’ll say, “We know him from TikTok,” and I end up getting extra pieces of meat, food, or even coleslaw. It’s a small but special way of showing the love and appreciation people have for what I do.

RG: What is the most memorable content/video you have made online?

TM: The most memorable video I have made is the one I did with the song “On Your Marks, We Are Ready for Jerusalem.” It became my biggest video in terms of views, likes, and shares. I honestly never saw it coming, but people really connected with it and enjoyed it. It is still one of the videos I have pinned on my TikTok account.

RG: Now that you are very popular within your church, how does that make you feel?

TM: I’m grateful, but I also see it as a responsibility. Knowing that people are watching has made me more careful about how I carry myself, the places I go and the decisions I make. It pushes me to be a good example.

At the same time, I try not to let popularity bring pride or ego. I always remind myself of my purpose, which is to serve God, represent The Salvation Army well, and use my platform to make a positive impact.

RG: If you were not a Salvationist, do you think you could have been creating church content?

TM: Honestly, I don’t think I would have discovered this side of myself. I would probably still be trying to figure out what my talent is. I only discovered that I had a gift for content creation after I started doing it through the church.

RG: What are some of the negatives that come with content creation?

TM: Content creation requires consistency, patience and sacrifice. It takes time and effort to keep creating, especially while balancing it with studies and personal life.

Sometimes people may misunderstand you, criticize your work, or not see the effort behind what you do. Another challenge is making sure you don’t lose sight of who you are and why you started. When people begin to recognize you, it can be easy to focus more on the attention and forget the bigger purpose behind it. For me, it is important to remember that I’m at church to worship and serve God, not just to create content.

RG: To what do you owe your success and influence?

TM: First and foremost, I give all the glory to God. I’m also grateful to my mom and my family for always being happy to see me doing what I love. A special shout-out to Scott and Mubau the guys behind the camera. If you enjoy my videos, just know they’re the ones making sure I don’t have to film myself all the time.

RG: What would you say to inspire someone who is inspired by you?

TM: Don’t wait until you have the perfect phone, the perfect camera, or the perfect opportunity. Start with what you have and stay consistent. If God has given you a talent, use it. You never know whose life you might inspire just by being yourself.

Watch Huncho’s latest trending and inspiring video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Bc8WzWpQ6/